# NTSB MIA98LA085: Piper PA-32-300, N8SX, Holly Springs, MS, February 24, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 24, 1998, 07:15 local (13:15 UTC) - Place: Holly Springs, MS - Location: 34.8044° N, 89.5211° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at HOLLY SPRINGS-MARSHALL COUNTY (M41), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8044&lon=-89.5211&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 26, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38462 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA98LA085 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38462/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98LA085 ## Probable cause a total loss of power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's lack of adequate preflight planning and preparation and his failure to adequately refuel his airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - grass - terrain condition - wet - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis For his takeoff, the pilot selected the 'LEFT TIP' position of the fuel selector valve for his fuel source. The left tip contained negligible fuel and immediately after takeoff, the engine lost power due to fuel starvation. The airplane crashed just off the departure end of the runway. ## Factual narrative On February 24, 1998, about 0715 central standard time, a Piper PA-32-300, N8SX, registered to a private individual, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed on takeoff from Holly Springs/ Marshall County Airport, Holly Springs, Mississippi. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the private-rated pilot was not injured. The flight was departing at the time of the accident. The pilot stated he flew N8SX to Holly Springs/Marshall County Airport to visit his father and brother for a few days. He arrived late on the afternoon of February 18, found the FBO closed for the day, so he parked and secured his airplane on their ramp. He returned the next day, requested and watched as N8SX's tip tanks and right main tank were filled, taking on a total of 50.3 gallons. He had resealed the left main fuel cell and wanted that tank dry to "cure" the sealant. On February 23, he had the left main tank fueled with 24.6 gallons in preparation for his trip home early the next morning. Copies of fuelling slips are included in this report under Other Pertinent Forms and Reports. The pilot stated that immediately after rotation, the engine lost power, and he attempted to land on, "sod between the runway and taxiway," but his momentum carried him beyond the runway environment where he encountered a "two-foot gulley". An observer at the wreckage site stated the cockpit fuel selector was positioned to the left tip tank detent. The pilot's statement confirms left-tip-tank is the position he had selected. The left tip tank was not compromised and contained about a cup of fuel. There were no fuel stains under the wings, or on the ramp where the airplane was previously parked. The FBO reports there have been no previous reports of fuel theft from aircraft. The FBO's statements are included in this report under Transcripts of Telephone Communications Pertinent to the Investigation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8SX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8SX-2017-12-08), registration cancelled 2017-12-08, S/N 32-7540015, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32-300 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-754-0015 - Airframe hours: 4019 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540 K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Brent Smith - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 15, 1998, 4 hours before - Departed: M41 - Destination: PFN, PANAMA CITY, FL - Airport: M41, Holly Springs/Marshall Co, runway 36, 3,201 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 367 total, 149 in this make and model, 360 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 8 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MEM, 32 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19980224001789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980224001789A), Feb 24, 1998: Piper PA32300, Holly Springs, MS, Substantial damage. On February 24, 1998, about 0715 central standard time a Piper PA-32-300, N8SX, registered to a private individual, operating as a 14 CFR part 91 personal… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.